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................................................................................................................................The 10 Miler will be held on w/e 22nd-24th Nov 2019.................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................The BAFC Fandance will be held on w/e 15th-17th May 2020......................................................................................................….....................

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

Being honest I would rather he packed his kit went home and had a bloody good feed, because I would hate to see him cause himself a damage, and achieve nothing because these heartless bastards don't care !

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

Sad to say the inevitable happened.

We're sorry to inform you Gus spent the night in hospital. His blood pressure crashed around midnight and he was in a very bad way, found to be malnourished and dehydrated. Thankfully he is back at the hotel after a rough night. To think Combat Stress were prepared to let him stay out another two nights...shame on them.

"We're surrounded on all sides... Good... you're obviously in the right place".

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

More visitors:

Some morning visitors. These guys are all from South Africa developing their Rugby skills and coaching young children in Burton. They hope to return to South Africa to develop the game out there and hopefully gain a professional contract.

"We're surrounded on all sides... Good... you're obviously in the right place".

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

Gus looks a lot better than a few days ago
If he starved for 18 days..
.it shud be 18 days recovery
He must be about 6 dsys in recovery now...
He has started a protest movement that is now unstoppable...
No need for hunger strikes now... he has got tbe attention for the cause...

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

The elite of the this once great country need a great **** off thunder flash strapped to their undercarriage... this latest shower of shite in charge r same old same old... bring back cromwell and ditch knighthoods into the bin of history...

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

We go on about the Krauts, Koreans, Chinese, Arabs and other assorted arseholes, but we breed a special kind of t**t in this country and like shit they always seem to rise to the top. They are able to waffle on endlessly about 'caring, disability, our brave lads and girls, sacrifice, disadvantage, elderly in shit care' etc and manage to look as if they give a f**k. You can never put a face to the pricks who make, or do not make some of these decisions. They ought to drag the c**t out from combat stress (funded by public money and donations) who has kept this lad outside for days and make him eat dog shit, or at least let us just see his pasty face and fat shiny arse.

They abandon injured soldiers and cut all sorts of services to the population, just to save money...question is, where does the money go? As I mentioned on another thread, they financialise everything to extract, or let their corporate mates extract as much as possible from ordinary people.

I don't know why I bother to vote, but as someone said; "if voting made any difference they wouldn't allow it".

"We're surrounded on all sides... Good... you're obviously in the right place".

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

Sitrep on Gus's protest. It's gone off the boil in the press and theMOD and Combat Stress seem to have washed their hands of it, but the campaign continues.

Combat Stress seem determined to make enemies. They called the police to the site complaining about some logs on their verge. The group held a carol service on the pavement and into the CS driveway. The centre’s staffs were invited to attend, the management’s response was to move the car parked up the driveway for the last three weeks, nearer to the entrance to block it. As Gus wrote; "...What a despicable act during this season of good will..." Thankfully the local residents and Council have been much more welcoming. One lady does some baking everyday and the Mayor and Council have been very helpful with access to the campsite.

The campaign including Norman McGuire and his team from Minds At War, has so far managed to directly save the lives of “4 people taken off the street who were suicide attempts", they were brought in cars from their locations to Camp Spartagus where they were fed, warmed, given a bed, and were seen by a therapist that, Combat Stress had “released due to cuts”. They have also managed to get treatment for another 11 people “in very dark places, contemplating suicide”, who have been seen by Norman and his team from Minds At War. MaW sorted treatment and mentors for them. One was taken to a special unit at Preston hospital”, so the campaign has been very worthwhile in that respect alone.

To date Gus has not received answers to his questions or confirmation in writing of any of the assurances he was given.

Gus has been waiting for promised replies to 5 questions he asked. If the questions are answered in full, the protest stops. He is still waiting for replies from Defence minister Gavin Williams MP, and Veterans minister Tobias Ellwood MP. They were hoping the protest would end when Gus came off his hunger strike. We will stay there until he gets those answers. One of the requests is that Combat Stress is investigated by an Independent Inquiry

Anyone in the area of Audley Court Newport TF10 7BP is welcome to drop in to Camp Spartagus at any time. Go along and sit in the chair and have a chat with Gus.

CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER @ CAMP SPARTAGUS

There is an open invitation to anyhomeless vets for Christmas dinner at the camp, remember to give them a call and book your scoff.

Any veterans that want to attend you are welcome also to come and spend some time, eat drink and be happy at Camp Spartagus. We will be serving a full Christmas roast to share with veterans and their supporters. All are welcome but we do need to know in advance if you are coming so we can get enough food prepared.

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

I'm totally baffled, Their talking of giving a Knighthood to England's cricket captain, yet someone who has risked their lives for this Country of ours are totally ignored and left to suffer mentally because of it. One plays a game of sport, the other faces the grim reality of war. Can anyone enlighten me as to the logic behind this, because I can't see it ?

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

Update from Gus.

It is now 54 days since Gus turned up outside Audley Court, pitched tent and went on hunger strike for the next 21 days, with a three day break on days 14, 15 and 16.

During that initial period Gus was visited by General Sir Peter Wall former General Officer Commanding British Armed Forces now President of Combat Stress. Gus was handed a letter of apology regarding his disgraceful treatment. During a later speech in Parliament Gus was given a formal apology by Tobias Ellwood veterans minister. However, this was not personally given to Gus, either vocally or written. Anyone reading this would assume that action by Tobias Ellwood to be insincere.

Apologising for negligence and a lack of duty of care does not answer the five points that Gus gave to the charity Combat Stress. On Friday the 9th of November, Gus was given assurances via text by his MPs office (Chris Davis, Brecon and Radnorshire) that a full Independent inquiry would be undertaken into the failings of Combat Stress. As a result Gus stood down two days later on remembrance Sunday, having completed two weeks without food. This action came with the caveat that Gus would resume his hunger strike if that promise did not materialise into a written copy. The following Tuesday Gus received a letter from his MP, and Newport MP Mark Pritchard, stating that they were only asking for an inquiry into his case alone to be conducted by the Care Quality Commission.

The Care Quality Commission does not undertake inquiries into individual complaints. Gus has not received any further communication from either of these MPs, neither written, verbal or by any third party correspondence, nothing at all. Gus has been betrayed ignored and deceived.

With this in mind, Gus, fellow veterans and supporters have maintained a presence in the chair since he was rushed to hospital in a state of collapse, a situation where Combat Stress was prepared to ignore him for a further four days. That further four days nearly cost Gus his life as his blood pressure plummeted and his body and heart put under immense stress. He has not fully recovered and is still experiencing problems. Many times Combat Stress have made public statements that they are looking after his welfare, they continue to ignore him and by a series of petty actions have tried to disparage him, ridicule him, tried to take police action against him, ruin his character and vilify his actions.

All this from an organisation that has publicly admitted negligence towards him.

His five points have not been answered, he knows that other veterans have experienced similar problems and some have died because of their alleged negligent actions. Sue Freeth (CEO), Walter Busuttil (Head psychiatrist) and Lt General Andrew Graham(Trustee) came to Audley Court on the 20th of November for a meeting with Gus. Considering he had just finished the hunger strike, he felt too weak for any discussion. His wife Angela agreed to be his advocate. Combat Stress insisted that nothing could be recorded.
However, Angela entered the meeting only to find the meeting being recorded, despite many requests, Angela has been denied any copies of any recordings.

It was decided to set up Camp Spartacus to demonstrate to Combat Stress that there is a need for 1) An Independent inquiry in to C/S failings as promised, 2) A functioning residential centre in the Midlands as per Combat Stresses other two properties, 3) That veterans can and will care for each other in a supportive way, 4) To expose the gross inadequacies in veterans mental health care. 5) To expose the cavalier and dispassionate attitude towards veterans by politicians and the civil service and 6) To put pressure on the government to do something about it, by declaring that we veterans who have served this nation will no longer tolerate being farmed off to substandard charities for substandard health care and treated as second class citizens.

Enough is enough.

Meanwhile, the suicide rate continues to rise, Audley Court remains closed, while veterans themselves are doing their work from tents in a field with no funds and are open for business. It is vital that Camp Spartacus continues to help veterans and extends a helping hand to those in distress. Behind the scenes, military fund managers are investigating Combat Stress, Parliament select committees are asking questions as to where nearly a billion pounds of Libor funding has gone over a period of ten years, select committee members have visited Combat Stress HQ. Gus is in communication with various supportive MPs and is due to visit Parliament for a personal meeting with Tobias Ellwood, but insists that Ellwood should visit Camp Spartagus first and meet some of the veterans he claims to represent. For legal confidentiality people cannot be named as they will be subject to inquest evidence and possible legal action.

I hope that keeps everyone up to date. It is vital that we continue to embarrass Combat Stress by demonstrating that we veterans and supporters can do the job that they are not doing with their millions of pounds from their closed centre.

Peace and happiness to one and all this Christmas from all at Camp Spartagus.

"We're surrounded on all sides... Good... you're obviously in the right place".

Re: Gus Hales 9 Sqn...

The Secretary of State will be aware of the case of Gus Hales who has been on hunger strike outside Combat Stress in my constituency. What more can the Ministry of Defence do to work with Combat Stress to get Gus the help that he so badly needs?

I have spoken to Gus Hales. I am very sorry about what has happened to him. I have also spoken to Combat Stress. We need to make sure that people such as Gus who have served this country are looked after. I will make sure that this is not repeated and, working with Combat Stress, make sure that his needs are looked after..."